Sony in Talks to Sell its PC Business

According to Japanese news service Nikkei, Sony could be in talks to sell off its PC business to investment fund, Japan Industrial Partners.

Under the plan, the fund will establish a new company to which Sony will sell its entire PC business. The sale price is estimated at 40 billion yen to 50 billion yen (S$500 million to S$625 million).

The new company would continue to sell PCs under the Vaio brand and will also handle after-sales service. To facilitate the transfer, Sony will take only a small stake in the firm. Nikkei also reports that "While the company may maintain operations in overseas markets where the Vaio brand is well-known, it will withdraw from most countries and regions."

Sony's PC business has declined in recent years, with units shipped falling to 5.8 million last year, down from a peak of 8.7 million. The sale would allow Sony to concentrate on its console gaming, and smartphone and tablet business, which has been much more successful in recent years.